Question

For a planet orbiting the sun, rp
is the distance from the sun to the perihelion and ra
is the distance from the sun to the aphelion. What is a planet’s orbital eccentricity if rp is equal to 0.45ra?
(1 point)
2.64
2.64

0.38
0.38

0.55
0.55

1.45

Answer 1

The planet's orbital eccentricity can be calculated using the formula:

eccentricity = (ra - rp) / (ra + rp)

Given that rp is equal to 0.45ra, we substitute this value into the formula:

eccentricity = (ra - 0.45ra) / (ra + 0.45ra)

Simplifying this expression:

eccentricity = 0.55ra / 1.45ra

eccentricity = 0.55 / 1.45

Thus, the planet's orbital eccentricity is 0.38.